Pillow top inflatable mattress

ABSTRACT

An inflatable support system having an upper chamber attached to a lower chamber and in fluid communication therewith which may be inflated with a single pump and deflated with a first valve, the upper chamber having a pillow top appearance when inflated.

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/918,561 entitled “Increased Height Inflatable Support System”filed Aug. 1, 2001, the teachings of which are herein incorporated byreference. This application is related to design application entitled“Pillow Top Inflatable Mattress” filed on even date herein, theteachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of inflatable supportsystems, and more particularly to mattresses giving the appearance ofhaving a top layer wherein the outer seams or edges are preferably matedtogether at a location other than the extreme mattress edge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is very desirable in a conventional mattress to have theappearance of a pillow top which features a quilted or padded layer ofsupport on top of a conventional mattress but integrated within themattress. The appearance is very pleasing and leads oneself to think ofluxurious sleeping comfort. There is a need in the art for an inflatablemattress to provide such an appearance as well as comfort and support.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,214, to Klimenko discloses an inflatablemattress including an upper, quilted component, a lower mattresscomponent, and an inflatable frame surrounding each, arranged such thatthe components give the illusion of a two-piece construction, with thequilted component lying atop the mattress section. The Klimenko patentspecifically teaches that the upper and lower components do not permitair or similar fluid communication between them. The lower component iscomprised of two sections, a central section and a frame. The frame isattached to and surrounds some or all of the central section. Inaddition, the two sections are not in fluid communication with eachother, nor is the central section of the lower component in fluidcommunication with either of the segments of the upper component. Theupper component includes a frame which can be sealed to the frame of thelower component, integrating the two components into a single mattressassembly.

[0005] While Klimenko does provide a pillow top appearance there stillremains a need for a simple design of an inflatable mattress having suchappearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention presents the appearance of a conventionalpillow top mattress within an inflatable air mattress wherein the upperquilted component is attached to a lower component mating inset from theextreme edge. The integrated system has fluid communication between theupper component and the lower component to provide the appearance of apillow top bed and the comfort and support similar to a conventionalpillow top bed. The inflatable system has a polyvinyl chlorideinflatable bladder supported in a preferred embodiment by a coilconstruction supporting the lower chamber which is in fluidcommunication with an upper chamber which is welded to the lower chamberinset from the outer edge to form the pillow top appearance. The topsurface of the upper chamber can be textured to provide the look andfeel of a conventional pillow top bed. One pump acting through one valveis used to inflate or deflate the bed in a one-touch design.

[0007] Generally, the invention pertains to an inflatable support systemhaving an upper chamber attached to a lower chamber and in fluidcommunication therewith which may be inflated with a single pump anddeflated with a first valve, the upper chamber having a pillow topappearance when inflated. The pillow top appearance is typicallyachieved by attaching a lower surface of the upper chamber to an uppersurface of the lower chamber inset from the outer edges thereof. In apreferred embodiment, the upper chamber is flocked or laminated with afabric, and is welded to produce a textured appearance. Such welding maybe made with dies of various shapes, including dies which aresubstantially sinusoidal in design. Where sinusoidal or other “wave” or“peak and trough” dies are used, a preferred die pattern is formed byalternating the peaks and troughs of the die (i.e. creating a pattern inwhich each wave is substantially out of phase with the next).

[0008] The inflatable support system can be inflated by a batteryoperated or electric pump, the operation of which can be controlled by auser. In a preferred embodiment, the pump may be removed from theinflatable support system without causing the inflatable support systemto deflate. A second valve may also be provided which gradually deflatesthe inflatable support system, thereby allowing a user to adjust thepressure within the inflatable support system to a desired level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide afurther understanding of the invention and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of theinvention and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

[0010] In the drawings:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mattress assembly ofthe present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary mattressassembly.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the mattress assembly.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a head end view of the mattress of the presentinvention.

[0015]FIG. 5 is the foot end view showing the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a side view of the mattress assembly.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a top view of the mattress assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an inflatable pillow topmattress assembly 10 of the present invention. Assembly 10 contains anupper component 12 and a lower component 14 which in most embodimentsare scaled to form an integrated device. As illustrated in FIG. 1, uppercomponent 12 does not necessarily appear to be sealed to lower component14, but rather could under casual observation seem to be merely restingatop lower component 14.

[0019] In assembly 10 of FIG. 1, upper component 12 is principally of aquilted construction like the cover of a mattress which may beconventionally filled with down. Lower component 14 by contrast is a boxlike construction much like a conventional mattress. Motorized pump 16is essentially an electric motor that has a one-touch control 18 forinflating and deflating the mattress with air or fluid.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a cut away showing the internal assembly of the presentinvention. Upper component 12 has a quilted central section formed bywelding or stamping a polyvinyl chloride material. Internal to lowerunit 14 are coils 22 which may be of a conventional coil design. In analternative embodiment, alternative coil structures, such as QuadraCoils (trademark of Aero Products, Inc.), described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 29/154,102, may be employed. In another embodiment,a channel construction can be employed along the length of lowercomponent 14 to provide support. In still another alternative embodimenta construction without coils or channels can be used to provide supportwithin lower component 14.

[0021] Top layer 26 forms the top of lower component 14, while layer 28forms the bottom of upper component 12. As shown in FIG. 2, inflation ofthe pillow top component is made through air channels 24 placed aroundthe circumference of lower component 14 and upper component 12. Airchannels 24 allow the periphery of upper component 12 to fill with airwhich propagates throughout center region 20 to inflate upper component12, giving assembly 10 the appearance of a pillow top mattress.

[0022] Air channels 24 are openings in the top layer of the lowercomponent and bottom layer of top component 14, which are joinedtogether by radio frequency welding, chemical bonding, or other suchprocess. The air channels are approximately ¾ inch in diameter,substantially centered in the periphery of upper chamber 12, and includereinforced PVC to enhance their durability. In the preferred embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2, four air channels 24 are used, and they arelocated substantially between the second and third row of coils. Itshould be appreciated by one skilled in the art that additional airchannels may be used, and that alternative air channel placements may beemployed to provide fluid communication between the upper and lowercomponents without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0023] Shown in FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the pillow top inflatablemattress illustrating a preferred coil design 22. Also illustrated inFIG. 3 is pumping motor 16, which is attached to lower component 14.

[0024] Shown in FIG. 4 is the top end, or “head,” of assembly 10.Although FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred location of pumping motor 16,it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that pumping motor 16could be moved to alternate locations without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention, including using motors which are not directlyattached to assembly 10, or which are removably attached thereto. As canbe seen in detail in FIG. 4, upper layer 26 of lower component 14 iswelded to layer 28, which forms the bottom of upper component 12.Alternatively, layers 26 and 28 may be a single layer and function toform both the top and bottom of the lower and upper componentsrespectively. Lower component 14 may be formed of bottom layer 30, towhich side gusset 32 is welded, with upper layer 26 welded at theopposite end of gusset 32. Alternatively, layer 30 can be continuouswith side gusset 32. The pillow top feature is formed by the uppercomponent 12 having a seal to the upper layer of lower unit 14 recessedfrom the outer edge at layer 26, giving rise to a conventional pillowtop appearance.

[0025] Motorized pump 16 has a one-touch control 34 which allows a userto control the pressure within assembly 10. Motorized pump 16 is shownattached to chamber 14, but in the alternative could be attached toupper component 12 because both chambers are in fluid communication.Pump 16 should be powerful enough to fill the entire support system witha gas or fluid, such that the lower chamber 14 in combination with upperchamber 12 and provide comfortable support to a user. A user can inflateassembly 10 by pressing a button on or near pump 16 as illustrated bybutton 34 in FIG. 4. Pump 16 may automatically stop inflating thesupport system when the pressure within the support system reaches alimit selectable by a user. In addition, should a user desire togradually decrease the pressure within the support system, a user simplyactivates a pushbutton valve illustrated as valve 34 in FIG. 4. Pump 16may also monitor support system air pressure and automatically addadditional air if the pressure falls below a level selected by a user.

[0026] Shown in FIG. 5 is a valve 40 which is used to deflate the unitin a rapid manner. Similar to FIG. 4, the pillow top upper chamber 12and lower chamber 14 are shown.

[0027] A side view of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. Thepillow top effect achieved by placing upper chamber 12 on lower chamber14 is clearly discernable. In addition, the preferred relationship ofpump 16 and valve outlet for deflation 40 is clearly illustrated in FIG.6.

[0028]FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the present invention. Upperchamber 12 and motor 16 are easily distinguished in the illustration.

[0029] What has been shown is a pillow top inflatable mattress whichoperates as one valve and one pump. Fluid communication between thepillow top chamber and a lower chamber is established. It should beapparent to those skilled in the art of the various changes andmodifications can be made therein without departure from the spirit andscope of the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the presentinvention cover the modifications and variations of this inventions thatcome within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable support system having an upperchamber attached to a lower chamber and in fluid communication therewithwhich may be inflated with a single pump and deflated with a firstvalve, the upper chamber having a pillow top appearance when inflated.2. The inflatable support system of claim 1, where the lower chamber isof a coil construction.
 3. The inflatable support system of claim 1,where the lower chamber is of a channel construction.
 4. The inflatablesupport system of claim 1, where the upper chamber is flocked.
 5. Theinflatable support system of claim 1, where the upper chamber islaminated with a fabric.
 6. The inflatable support system of claim 1,where the upper chamber is welded to produce a textured appearance. 7.The inflatable support system of claim 6, where the textured appearanceis created by applying welding dies which are substantially sinusoidalin design.
 8. The inflatable support system of claim 7, where successivesinusoidal welding patterns are substantially out of phase.
 9. Theinflatable support system of claim 1, wherein the pump is batteryoperated.
 10. The inflatable support system of claim 9, wherein thebattery operated pump is rechargeable.
 11. The inflatable support systemof claim 1, wherein the pump receives power from a standard householdelectrical socket.
 12. The inflatable support system of claim 1, whereinthe pump is removably coupled to the inflatable support system.
 13. Theinflatable support system of claim 1, further comprising a second valvefor gradually deflating the inflatable support system.
 14. Theinflatable support system of claim 13, wherein a user can select thepressure within the inflatable support system by alternately inflatingthe support system with the pump or deflating the support system withthe second valve.
 15. The inflatable support system of claim 1, whereinthe first valve and the single pump are located at opposite ends of thesupport system.
 16. The inflatable support system of claim 15, whereinthe first valve is connected to a foot end of the lower chamber and thesingle pump is operably connected to a head end of the lower chamber.17. The inflatable support system of claim 1, wherein the single pumpand the first valve are operably connected to the lower chamber.
 18. Theinflatable support system of claim 1, wherein the pillow top appearanceis achieved by attaching a lower surface of the upper chamber to anupper surface of the lower chamber inset from the outer edges thereof.19. An inflatable support system comprising: a flocked upper chamberwhich has a pillow top appearance when inflated; a lower chamberattached to and in fluid communication with the upper chamber, the lowerchamber having a coil construction; a single pump for inflating thesupport system which is operably coupled to the support system and whichreceives power from a household electrical socket; at least one firstvalve for rapidly deflating the support system; and, at least one secondvalve for gradually deflating the support system.